The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

September 16, 2022
Author: Hannah DeVivo

Peace be with you! Yesterday, September 15th, was the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows. Today we are going to look into the history and meaning of this devotion.

The Title of Our Lady of Sorrows

We have many titles for Mary, the mother of Jesus. There is no shortage of devotions to the various virtues of this Blessed Virgin. There are so many ways in which we can look to and learn from her. The title “Our Lady of Sorrows” focuses specifically on the sorrows that Mary chose to endure as the mother of Jesus.

In the earlier years of the Church, this Feast Day was on the Friday after Palm Sunday. It was originally added to the Roman Missal under the title “Our Lady of Compassion” and was intended to emphasize the great love and compassion that Mary had for her beloved Son, which allowed her to willingly endure such sorrow. By 1668, the devotion developed specifically into honoring the “Seven Dolors” or the “Seven Sorrows” of Mary, which will be listed below. In the 1900’s Pope Pius X established the permanent date as September 15^th.

What are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?

1. The Prophecy of Simeon. “And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)

2. The Flight into Egypt. “Now when they (the magi) had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.” (Matthew 2:13-14)

3. Losing the Holy Child Jesus in Jerusalem. “And when He was twelve years old, they went up there (Jerusalem) according to the custom of the feast;and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it.Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him.Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You!”And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” And yet they on their part did not understand the statement which He had made to them.And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:42-51)

4. Meeting Jesus on His Way to Calvary. Although the pain of watching her innocent Son suffer and die must have been unbearable, Mary was there for the passion and death of Jesus. She saw Him on the long walk to Calvary and stayed with Him until after His soul had left His body. How she must have wanted to run to Him and protect Him in her motherly way from every pain He endured.

5. Standing at the Foot of the Cross.“Now beside the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. So when Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household.” (John 19:25-27)

6. When Jesus was Being Taken from the Cross. “Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself also waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Now Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. And after learning this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb which had been cut out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.” (Mark 15:43-46)

7. At the Burial of Christ. “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus were watching to see where He was laid.” (Mark 15:47)

The Seven Sorrows of Mary Chaplet and the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows

There is a devotional aid, similar to a rosary, with beads and medals for those who wish to pray the Seven Sorrows of Mary Chaplet. We sell them on our website, and each comes with a lovely prayer card to aid you in the reflection of each sorrow. We also have a beautifully illustrated prayer book which includes a history of the devotion, the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows, reflections on each Sorrow, a Novena and Litany in honor of the Seven Sorrows and prayers to Our Blessed Mother.

For these items and more dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, visit here.

Before You Go

Do you have a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows?

Do you ever think about how Mary must have felt to be the mother of God, and the pain that accompanied that privilege?

Did you learn anything new in this article?

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